Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Whaland Clark, Mabel Mumford-Pautz, James R. Johnson and Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Jennifer Stead, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting or the executive session of June 16, 2003. Mr. Bristoll moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that an executive session was held at 8:23 p.m., directly following the Mayor and Council meeting of June 16, 2003. The members of the Council present at the Mayor and Council meeting decided unanimously to go into executive session. No motions were made or passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the fireworks went very well on the 4th of July and he thought it was one of the best shows. He said the street crew did a fine job. Fireworks were not in the budget for next year and Mr. Ingersoll asked for input from anyone concerning private funding of the fireworks. He said the cost was $20,000.00.

Mr. Bristoll stated that merchants and marinas mostly paid for Rock Hall’s fireworks. He said the Town should ask business people to help, as well as Queen
Anne’s County and Kent County.

Mayor Bailey stated that if funds could not be raised, the Town wanted to do something to celebrate the 4th of July and was interested in hearing ideas from Town residents.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the C300 Committee had contacted him asking if it was permissible to have a link on the Chestertown website for ideas. Mr. Ingersoll suggested that they might appear before the Council every six months with updates on festivities. The Council agreed to the link. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that the Committee should appear every ninety days.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Hot Spot Grant now changed to CSAFE (Collaborative Supervision and Focused Enforcement) Grant was funded in three categories. The main category was law enforcement for Kent County/Chestertown community policing for $36,129.00, followed by Kent County/Chestertown coordination for $9,174.00, and lastly, the Kent County/Chestertown Addiction Recovery in the amount of $3,697.00.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had changed the dates for the Consent Order from MDE for the BNR Project as discussed at a prior meeting. He asked that the Council approve the document to be sent so they would stay within the fourteen (14) day period the Order called for. Mr. Clark moved to allow Mayor Bailey to sign the Consent Order, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Bristoll moved for an executive session under Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland directly following the meeting to discuss the LGIT debt for leaving medical coverage and a contractual agreement. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that she, the Tourism Office, and the Chamber of Commerce were scheduled to meet with State Highway on Friday to discuss signage for the Scenic By-way. She said she was going to discuss ways to consolidate some of the signs.

Mayor Bailey asked residents to check their property for any standing water to help with mosquito control.

Mayor Bailey stated that on Saturday, August 16th, from 3:00-5:00 at Kent County High School, Dr. Gregory Bach was holding a seminar on lyme and tick borne diseases. The seminar would be open to the public and would cover diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated that something had to be done about the stray cats and dogs that were roaming the Town. Mr. Bristoll stated that in the past there was discussion of having a temporary animal control officer. Mayor Bailey stated that she and Mr. Bristoll had spoken to the Council of Governments about a uniform animal ordinance that would apply to the County and Town. She said she would pursue it again. Mr. Bristoll stated that Really Great Cats Rescue (Bruce and Sharon Rushton) took in feral cats and let people adopt them. Mr. Ingersoll stated that they would be at the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays for the next several weeks. Mr. Bristoll stated that if the police saw animals on the streets without tags there was nothing to stop them from calling the Humane Society.

There being no further business, Mr. Clark made a motion to pay bills. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Clark made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:49 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Jennifer Stead
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor